Lever system utilizing rack and pinion gear

Abstract

A lever system deploys a pinion gear that engages a pinion gear receiving portion. A handle is attached to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear between a retain position and a release position. The pinion gear receiving portion is attached to a first object and the pinion gear is pivotably mounted to a second object that may be moved with respect to the first object. The design of the pinion gear receiving portion and the pinion gear ensure linear travel of the second object as the pinion gear is rotated between the retain position and the release position. Additionally, the pinion gear and the receiving portion include contours that prevent relative linear motion in all directions.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A lever system for moving a first object with respect to a second object, comprising: 
       a pinion gear pivotably mounted to the first object for pivotable motion about a pivot axis;  
       a handle connected to the pinion gear for movement between a release position and a retain position; and  
       a pinion gear reception portion on the second object, the pinion gear reception portion having a rack gear and a guide surface generally opposite the rack gear, wherein the guide surface is located to maintain the pinion gear in engagement with the rack gear as the handle is moved from the release position to the retain position.  
     
     
       2. The lever system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pinion gear includes at least one tooth disposed to ensure movement of the pivot axis generally along a straight line as the handle is moved between the release position and the retain position. 
     
     
       3. The lever system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the pinion gear includes a stop surface located to move into engagement with the guide surface when the handle is in the retain position. 
     
     
       4. The lever system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the pinion gear reception portion includes a lateral interference region to prevent lateral movement of the pinion gear along the pivot axis with respect to the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       5. The lever system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the lateral interference region includes a tapered surface disposed at an angle with respect to the pivot axis when the pinion gear is engaged with the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       6. The lever system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pinion gear includes a stop surface located to move into engagement with the guide surface when the handle is in the retain position. 
     
     
       7. The lever system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pinion gear reception portion includes a lateral interference region to prevent lateral movement of the pinion gear along the pivot axis with respect to the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       8. The lever system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pinion gear includes a tapered stop surface disposed to engage the tapered surface when the handle is in the closed position. 
     
     
       9. The lever system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the tapered surface extends beyond the stop surface. 
     
     
       10. A lever system for moving a first object with respect to a second object, comprising: 
       a gear member mounted to the first object; and  
       a gear member reception portion mounted to the second object wherein as the gear member and gear member reception portion are engaged and rotated with respect to each other, the gear member may by moved to a retained position at which position the gear member restricts linear movement in all directions.  
     
     
       11. The lever system as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a handle connected to the gear member to pivot the gear member between a retain position and a release position. 
     
     
       12. The lever system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the gear member comprises a pinion gear having at least one tooth. 
     
     
       13. The lever system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the pinion gear is pivotably mounted to the first object about a pivot axis. 
     
     
       14. The lever system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the pinion gear reception portion includes a lateral interference region to prevent lateral movement of the pinion gear along the pivot axis with respect to the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       15. The lever system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a latch to selectively maintain the handle at the retained position. 
     
     
       16. The lever system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a release prevention mechanism positioned to block inadvertent release of the latch. 
     
     
       17. The lever system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a spring member positioned to bias the handle away from the retained position. 
     
     
       18. A lever system, comprising: 
       a first object;  
       a second object movable with respect to the first object;  
       a pinion gear pivotably mounted to the first object for pivotable motion about a pivot axis;  
       a handle connected to the pinion gear for movement between a release position and a retain position; and  
       a pinion gear reception portion on the second object, the pinion gear reception portion having a linear rack gear sized to receive the pinion gear and a guide surface generally opposite the linear rack gear.  
     
     
       19. The lever system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pinion gear includes at least one tooth disposed to ensure movement of the pivot axis generally in a straight line along the linear rack gear as the handle is moved between the release position and the retain position. 
     
     
       20. The lever system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the pinion gear reception portion includes a guide surface opposite the linear rack gear and the pinion gear includes a stop surface located to move into engagement with the guide surface when the handle is in the retain position. 
     
     
       21. The lever system as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the pinion gear reception portion includes a lateral interference region to prevent lateral movement of the pinion gear along the pivot axis with respect to the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       22. The lever system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the lateral interference region includes a tapered surface disposed at an angle with respect to the pivot axis when the pinion gear is engaged with the pinion gear reception portion. 
     
     
       23. The lever system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the pinion gear includes a tapered stop surface disposed to engage the tapered surface when the handle is in the closed position. 
     
     
       24. The lever system as recited in  claim 23 , further comprising a latch to selectively maintain the handle at the retain position. 
     
     
       25. The lever system as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising a release prevention mechanism positioned to block inadvertent release of the latch. 
     
     
       26. The lever system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first object is a chassis having a plug portion and the second object is a module having a plug configured to engage with the plug portion. 
     
     
       27. The lever system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the plug comprises a multipin plug. 
     
     
       28. The lever system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the second object is a chassis having a plug portion and the first object is a module having a plug configured to engage the plug portion. 
     
     
       29. The lever system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the plug comprises a multipin plug.